NOTES BY PHAETON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10777, 11 June 1898, Page 6

NOTES BY PHAETON.

THE NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING, [by riuETOS.] It was a very general prediction that the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting would this year prove one of tho best and most successful gatherings of its kind that has ever been brought off at Ellerslie by the A.R.C., and this, it is pleasing to state, lias been most amply borne out. On each day there was a very large attendance; and with a totalisator record of £15,906, which is no less than £3060 abovo the sum handled at the corresponding meeting held last year, the club has very good reason to indulge in a peal of rejoicing at the happy result which has this year attended the Grand National gathering. THE RACING. On both days the sport was of a first-class character, a feature of which was the largeness of the fields, especially in the two flat •vents, the starters for which numbered 21 and 23 respectively. To proceed to the two big events of the programme, tho Grand National Hurdle Race claims first attention, Opai, who had been a strong favourite for several days prior to the race, held his place most firmly, and he had such a look of the gentleman about him and bore such a well-trained appearance that he did not seem to have a single detractor. Well, to get to the race. After they had travelled about seven furlongs of the journey, Opai was in front, and he and Dummy going for each other they put in some quick work, by which they cleared right away from the field. The issue between the leading pair was still in doubt half-way across the top stretch, where the whip was on both horses. Opai, however, had his opponent beaten before the home turn was reached, and won his race handsomely, and it may, I think, be said comfortably at the end by a couple of lengths in the record time of 3m. 525. Opai may be said to have proved himself all that he has been held to be, and, though he has yet to prove ' himself as good a horse as last year's winner, ; St. Simon, he has shown himself such a con- ' sistent fellow that he must be given the credit , as one of the best horses that has won the Grand National event at Ellerslie. It is ! pleasing to find such a fine horse as Opai , carrying the colours of a man like Mr. Mc- ' Donald, for a short conversation with that gentleman shows him to be a great lover of I ' a good horse, whether he owns him or not. i 1 Though Dummy was defeated in the Grand I National Hurdle Race, the little chestnut did ' not by any means disgrace himself, and indeed c he may lie said to have run the best race of ' bis life on Saturday last. Three furlongs J from home he seemed to have as much to 1 say in the matter as Opai; and as he was only ° two lengths away from the winner (to whom, r let it be borne in mind, he was conceding 81b), ° in a two-mile race that was cut out in record ' time, it proves him to be as good as ever he 1] was. There is good reason to believe that the * parties connected with Dummy were fully ' cognisant of the fact that their horse would " bo equal to recording a better performance than lie did at Wanganui when Opai beat him 1 so easily on the 25th ult. The little chestnut i did not disappoint them in that respect, but I Opai proved fully equal to coping with this ' improvement, and that is what the Dummy ' party did not expect. i

Nor'-west ran a fair horse in tho Grand National, but those who have all along estimated him to be an inferior stayer claimed a victory. He was in trouble a long way from home, and the easy manner in which Opou dressed him down on the second day tended to strengthen the view that Nor'-west is a much over-estimated horse. ;

A Grand National candidate that disgraced himself was Voltigeur. The son of Tim Whifflcr blundered at the very first fence, and he took no further part in the race. On the following day he managed to get as far as the second fence; but here he fell and again he was led back riderless to the enclosure. It is quite evident that Voltigeur's jumping capabilities have been very considerably exaggerated, and until he shows some pretentions to complete a course in safety over the sticks, there is not much inducement to favour his prospects so far as that class of sport is concerned.

Various causes militated against a larger field being obtained for the Great Northern Steeplechase; and at the finish the number of starters dwindled down to seven. With Levanter held to be slightly below himself, very little doubt was held as to what would start favourite, for Muscatel was such a prime fancy that nothing but an accident could have dethroned her from the pride of place. Though the number of starters for the crosscountry race was somewhat below the estimate, it was, nevertheless, a good-looking lot that Mr. Cutts had in his hands when he lined them up at the barrier. Conscript, the vigorous littlo son of Volunteer, who in the spring of the year proved his ability to win over the Ellerslie course last spring, fulfilled the role of pace-maker until the double was reached on the second round, when he retired; and when they ran into the plantation for the last time, Muscatel and The Sinner were at the head of the field fighting out a stiff battle. Fencing most proficiently, the pair came down the hill on close terms, and when The Sinner was seen to be nearly level with his opponent at the stone wall, the issue for a few strides looked as well for him as it did for Muscatel. By the time the bend of the straight was reached, however, Muscatel had her opponent in trouble, and drawing away in the run home she won her race by a couple of lengths from Magpie, who caught The Sinner in the last 30 yards and secured second honours. As was the case with the Grand National Hurdle Race, Muscatel succeeded in establishing a fresh record for the Great Northern Steeplechase, the daughter of Foulshot completing the course in Bm. 325.. which is 12s. faster than the times recorded respectively by Allegro and Shillelagh. Muscatel did not, so far as I could see, make a faulty jump during tho whole three miles and a-half, and altogether the Foulshot mare must be given credit for a highly-finished performance. That Muscatel stays extremely well does not admit of doubt, and sho may prove to be worth watching for the Grand National Steeplechase to be run at Riccarton in August next.

After Magpie's collapse in the Selling Steeplechase, run on the Saturday previous, there was not, it must be admitted, Audi cause to apprehend danger from his quarter, so far as the Great Northern was concerned. But the old fellow very nearly succeeded in the more important task set him; and as he was well inside all previous records, the form he displayed on Monday was undoubtedly a great improvement on that which he got off on the Saturday previous when he failed to beat the moderate Charcoal.

Though The Sinner failed to quite sty out tho . long journey attaching to the Great Northern, the son of Foulshot ran a really good horse. He was always in a good position, and with the exception of one slight blunder, which he made when negotiating the post-and-rail fence the last time round, he jumped most proficiently throughout. Mr. Skipworth did not, I think, make a bad purchase when he took The Sinner, and, bar accidents, the son of Foulshot wil prove that before long.

Levanter could not get into a place, but the old fellow was still battling along at the finish, and though in trouble a long way from home, he jumped the remaining obstacles with the utmost cleverness. When I observed Katterns hunting Levanter along on the last round, and the little fellow labouring and apparently unable to improve his position an inch, it seemed as if for once we should have to include him amongst those which did not finish. That little extra bit of staying quality which has so often stood to him again proved that it was there, and rattling down the hill very freely he finished a fair fourth. Levanter is evidently yet to be reckoned with.

The finest-looking one of the field that contested the Great Northern Steeplechase was undoubtedly Toriki, an upstanding five-year-old son of Torpedo. In schooling over the course on the Thursday prior to the race, Toriki showed a marked disinclination to face the obstacle at the old water jump, at which lie ran off several times. With this knowledge of unreliability regarding the son of Torpedo's fencing, he had to be taken on trust for the cross-country event. As they ran through the

rails to negotiate the jump in question on Monday, I observed Hall take the precaution of keeping Toriki well up on the right-hand sido of the jump, and with the additional benefit of having several horses on the left hand side to assist in keeping him straight, it looked all right for him petting over; but he ran down the fence in a truly artistio manner, and after his rider had given him one more trial to redeem his character, which he Would not avail himself of, baulking once more, his followers had the melancholy spectacle of the horse they had backed sedately standing at the mile post, while Muscatel, The Sinner, and Co. were fighting out their hard battle. During Mr. McDonald's stay in Auckland, I had a chat with him concerning Toriki, when I learned that the horse suffered a rather bad fall a few days prior to the openin? of tho Wanganui Meeting, and it was the effects of this mishap that kept him from being on the scene at the West Coast gathering. Though Toriki bore nc traces of his accident w,hcn he was sent out at Ellerslie, it is quite likely he may have been a little off. I am myself inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, so far as being a confirmed trickster is concerned, and at the New Zealand Grand National Meeting in August he may wholly retrieve his character.

In the Maiden Hurdle Race, Anita got through her task in a very neat manner, and she won her race 60 comfortably at the end that her playing a part in the Hurdle Race on the second day was looked upon as a very likely circumstance. However, she tired perceptibly in the heavy going, and wound up an indifferent performance by falling at the last hurdle. Anita is a neat little mare that with a bit of luck won the Maiden Hurdles. She is, however, no wonder.

It seemed to the majority of backers very much like picking up money to support Magpie for the Selling Steeplechase, and the company that opposed the Betrayer gelding was really of so moderate a character that there were some grounds for making him an odds-on favourite. However, the presumed "good tiling" unexpectedly went down, the winner turning up in the Gisborne-owned horse Charcoal, who made most of the running, and dressed down the favourite most decisively at the finish. Charcoal is evidently a useful class of horse; but his owner was not keenly opposed for the possession of the son of Foul Play, as he was able to re-purchase him for the small sum of £25.

A horse that for some time I had in my eye as one likely to win over the small sticks was Kanaka, and in the running of the Maiden Hurdle Race on the second day the black son of Australian demonstrated that I had not hit upon a bad one. Before they got to the third hurdle,_ Kanaka wafjri front of his field, and fencing in really good style, ran home an easy winner. Kanaka is a vigorous kind of customer, and as he seems to take kindly to jumping his winning record over the small sticks should not end with what wo saw of him at Ellerslie.

The mean-looking Kapai did not look any too promising a candidate for crosscountry honours, and when speculation opened on the Tally-ho Steeplechase, Reindeer, who had recorded a respectable second to The Sinner in the Maiden Steeplechase on tho opening day, was the one in most request, tho Brigadier gelding being backed down to even money. Kapai was one of tho first to commence, and sailing over the jumps most proficiently, he led throughout, and won his race by half a dozon lengths from the favourite. Kapai is a Gisborne-owncd horse that distinguished himself by winning the Maiden Hurdle Race at the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting; but a display of indifferent form at Takapuna recently discounted greatly the value of his Ellerslie victory, and, as in looks he possesses nothing of the cut of a cross-country horse, there was some reason tc doubt his ability to win the Tally-ho Steeplechase at Ellerslie. Opou collapsed so badly when well backed by his party in the Hurdle Race at tho Takapuna Meeting a fortnight back, that ho was generally summed up as an inferior horse. The son of Emir Bey, however, gave us another side to the picture in the Hurdle Race run at Ellerslie on Monday last. He was one of tho first to commence, and dashing into tho load early in the contest, and fencing throughout in most proficient style, he held command right through, and made quite an exhibition of Nor'-west and Co. towards the finish of the battle. Opou is evidently not a bad class of horse, and, judging from the form which ho displayed at Ellerslie, his party had bad luck to lose when they backed him so spiritedly at Takapuna.

When Record Reign made bis debut at Ellerslie last spring, I had a good word to say for the half-brother to St. Simon, and when the summer rolled round he justified this by winning the County Handicap. In the interval he had run such a number of disappointing ■ races that he had lost caste with mo, and I was scarcely prepared for him to come home in front of the largo field of 20 that opposed him in the Welter Handicap. The son of Castor's performance in that raco is enhanced by the fact that he did not get away any too well when the barrier went Up ; and, as he was under strong pressure for almost the whole journey, he must, in winning the milo race, be given credit for a capital piece of work,

It seemed to be the general opinion of those who closely watched the finish of the race won by Record Reign that St. Kilda could have been closer up had his rider desired it; and this having duly been made a r.ote of, it was no surprise to find the old St. Leger gelding in the position of favourite for the Second Welter Handicap when that event came up for decision on the following Monday. Crusoe, who, like St, Kilda, was outside of the placed division on the opening day, proved to be tho successful pea, and the son of Cruiser dashing to the front directly the barrier went up, sailed along in front, and won his raco with the greatest of ease at the finish from Castashore.

Mr. Percival has conducted many meetings at Ellerslie to a successful conclusion, but the one just past is undoubtedly entitled to a first place in that respect. The A.R.C. certainly deserve all tho luck that may fall to them, for it can bo truthfully said they show a keen desire to keep up the stakes, while at the same time they make the burden of nomination and acceptance press as lightly as possible on horseowners. With the added money for the Grand National Hurdlo Race fixed at 400sovs, and that for the Great Northern Steeplechase at 600sovs, there is no need for those stakes to be at present added to, and so long as the club are enabled to present such prizes for competition as those referred to, there need be little fear of the success of the Grand National gathering.

I must not conclude this notice of the Grand National gathering without paying a warm compliment to the handicapper, Mr. Evett, to whose good work much of the success of the meeting was due.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTE-BOOK. The stewards of the Auckland Racing Club had one of those troublesome cases, yclept reversal of form, to deal with as a result of the racing at the recent Grand National Meeting. The culprit was Mr. J. George's Crusoe. In the Welter Handicap run on the opening day this horse figured amongst the contestants, when, with 9st,- 101b in the saddle, he finished nowhere. In the samo class of race, decided on tho Monday following, with only 31b less weight to carry, he simply romped home from start to finish. The statement tendered by the owner of Crusoe, when asked to account for the sudden reversal of form, was that old stock one—the horso got badly away—which statement was, of course, corroborated by his son, who rode Crusoe. The starter, Mr. Geo. Cutts, was examined, and he told the committee that in the race run on the opening day young George displayed such a tendency to bang behind that he remarked to the lad's father that he seemed lo be afraid to bring his horse up lo the field. This assumed nervousness on the part of young George, Mr. Cutts states, was conspicuous by its absence in the second race. Crusoe's rider was one of the most eager for the fray, and directly the barrier went up the Taranaki horse was one of tho first away. The stewards, however, elected to give the Crusoe parly the benefit of the doubt, and tho objection was disallowed.

| It not infrequently happens in these re- | versals of form that when horses fail they are less heavily backed than when they score, and this potent little fact comes out in the Crusoe case. A reference to the totalisator figures shows that on the opening day there was only £58 on Crusoe's number; but, singular to relate, notwithstanding his failure, he was entrusted with £143 on the second day. This little fact, placed side by side with the statement of the starter, seems to me to support a case against Crusoe. lam quite willing to admit that reversals of form are entitled to be most carefully considered, lest a wrong finding should be come to, and the innocent be made to suffer; but, viewing the whole of the circumstances of the Crusoe ease, and the fact that he has been " out on the second day" before, it is, I think, a pity that the stewards did not display a bit of backbone. It would, I feel sure, have worked for a good end, and prevented the sharp gentry from once more laughing in their sleeves at the gullibility of our racing stewards.

After Opai had successfully accomplished his task in the Grand National Hurdle Race on Saturday last, I had a most interesting chat with his owner, Mr. J. R. McDonald, who, I may remark, is a well-known runholder at Horowhenua. I learned from Mr. McDonald that he. bred Opai at his estate, and that when three years old he disposed of the son of Somnus for £40.; At the Wood-

ville meeting, held in the early part of the present year, Opai was on the secne, and prior to the opening of the racing ho was placed under offer to Mr. McDonald for £125; but the latter preferred to take the course of endeavouring to defeat the bay gelding with Toreki. In this, however, ho failed, Opai winning easily. Mr. McDonald thereupon interviewed his then owner (F. Rollo) as to what he would take for the horse, when he found that the price required for the son of Soninus had gone up to £175. That he regarded as too stiff, and negotiations ceased, to be renewed later on by Rollo offering to take a shorter price, and eventually the business was concluded by Mr. McDonald buying the horse at £155, Since passing into Mr. McDonald's hands Opai has won no less than six races, so that that gentleman has excellent reason to be satisfied at the result which has attended his repurchase of the son of Somnus. Mr. McDonald gave mo some interesting particulars concerning Opai's dam, Polly, which shows her to be one of obscure pedigree, for further than that she is believed to have been got by Kakapo absolutely nothing is known concerning her breeding. Polly, Mr. McDonald tells me, was a, small mare, and with a hip down and a twist in front, she was anything but the beau ideal of a stud matron. He bought her, he says, simply on the ground that she threw a goodlooking and well-performed horse in Uranus, who, my readers will remember, as having won the Auckland Steeplechase of 1887. Polly also threw another good-looking one in Stre-1 phon; and then came, what Mr. McDonald holds to be the best of her offspring, Opai. Polly. I learn from Mr. McDonald, died a couple of years back at Horowhenua.

It transpired during yesterday that negotiations had been opened up by a well-known Auckland trainer, acting at the instance of one in the same profession in Victoria, for the purchase of Waiuku. The owner of the horse, I understand, on being asked to put a price on the son of St. Leger, first named £1500, but subsequently this was reduced to £1200, at which latter price Waiuku remains under offer for a month. As there is reason to believe that the parties in quest of Waiuku expressed their willingness to give £1200 for him, it would seem pretty certain to conclude that the son of St. Leger will change hands, and in that case wo may, I suppose, look for his withdrawal from the New Zealand Cup. Unfortunately, Waiuku was not nominated for the Caulfiold and Melbourne Cups. Had his owner entered him for thoso valuable races, there can be little doubt that it would have enhanced his value, and with tho inducement of tho horse having a chance in thoso races holding out, I don't know that they would have, turned their heads so quickly when £1500 was asked for him. Waiuku is an extremoly sound horse, and having proved himself a great weight-carrier, he will probably be found paying his way in Australia before many months elapse.

There is probably no class of men engaged in a hazardous kind of prolcssion that as a general body make so light of their troubles so far as injuries obtained in following their toil is concerned, than the knights of the pigskin. On Saturday last A. Collins, W. Olive, and W. Gall respectively suffered bad falls while race-riding at Ellerslie, and as the unfortunate young follows were conveyed back to the enclosure, it was feared that the results were to be serious; in fact, a rumour was current during tho whole of Sunday that a fatal termination had occurred in two instances. However, to general relief, the statement proved tc be groundless. Olive, who got badly doubled up when Ballyhooley turned turtle over tho sod fence, while contesting the Selling Steeplechase, was the one whose obituary had been rather widely proclaimed, and at least one Ellerslie trainer went down to the racecourse on Sunday to further promulgate that announcement, when, to his anmzoment, he found Olive actually riding a pony. Nothing daunted by his unfortunate experience of Ballyhooley on the opening day, Olive again pluckily took the mount ,on The Dauphin's son in the Great Northern Steeplechase, but though he escaped a fall on the second trip, his horse, nevertheless, failed to negotiate the course. Collins, who received his injuries owing to Tbelma falling with him, was so badly knocked about that lie scorned likely to be, if not on the broad of his back, at least indoors, for several weeks, could not be restrained from putting in an appcaranco on the second day; but his pluck outstripped discretion, and having regard to his health, he should certainly not have come to tlio racecourse in such a plight as he was. In addition to having his collarbone broken, Collins suffered a rather severe scalp wound, besides minor contusions; and as ho stood on the grandstand on Monday ho presented a pretty good illustration of the amount of risk jockeys have to take on for a small fee. Truly, a jockey's life, especially one who has to earn his livelihood in riding over fences, is not a bed of roses.

Mr. Henry this week declared the weights for the two leading events of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Winter Meeting. As is quite in order, Plain Bill heads the list in the Hurdlo Race, 12sl 81b being his portion, which may be allowed to pass unchallenged; but surely Mr. Henry has been unduly harsh with Opai in awarding him 12st 31b. Good horse though the son of Somnus has proved himself, tho general opinion will, I think, bo against Mr. Henry's conclusion. It is such handicapping as that of Opai that drives men into running byes with their horses when they would rather bo triers. Missfiro (list 111b) is in his proper place, and must prove hard to beat. In the Steeplechase Plain Bill (12st 51b), Missfiro (list), The Sinner (lOst 111b), and Toriki (lOst 111b) are ones for whoso chances I have most regard.

Nominations for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups fell due on Monday last, and tho lists cabled show that 156 horses havo been nominated for the first-named raco, and 142 for the second. It was thought probable that the respective parties connected with Waiuku and St. Paul would lie templed to nominate their horses for the big Victorian, event, but neither of the New Zealand cricks appear in the list. There was some littlo doubt as to whether Mr. W. R. Wilson would nominate his crack two-year-old Bobadil for tho Melbourne Cup, but all double upon that head arc now set at rest, for the son of Bill of Portland appears in the Flemington race. Tho weights for both races are due to appear on the 27th inst.

On the same day as the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup nominations closed the Canterbury Jockey Club invited entries for the New Zealand Cup, and the list telegraphed shows 50 horses engaged in the Riccarton race There is a good deal of what may be termed rubbish engaged, but still there is a fair sprinkling of good performers in the list, chief of which may bo inontioncd Waiuku. St. Paul, Multiform, Swordfish, Nestor, Daystar, North Atlantic, and Starshot. The weights are due to mako their appearance on July 1.

Honours amonst the sires were most evenly distributed during the recent Grand National Meeting held at Ellerslie. Foulshot was tho only ono to obtain a double, bis winning representatives being respectively Muscatel and The Sinner. Tho other sires represented on the winning list were: Somnus, Australian, Tetford, Foul Play, Emir Boy, Crusoe, Woolbroker, Castor, King Quail, and Cap-a-pie.

From tho fact of Mr. Samuel Hordern having nominated several horses for the Caulfield and Molbourne Cups, and also for other important ovents, it would appear as though that gentleman had reconsidered his determination to retire from the turf. I. Earnshaw, who has acted as private trainer for Mr. Hordern for several years past, has, however, started business on his own account, and should Mr. Hordern again race horses they may bo expected to be in other hands, A good deal of curiosity will attach to this aspect of Mr! Hordern's expected re-entry to turf life.

Three riders scored a double win at the Ellerslie Grand National Meeting. A. Hall got home first respectively on The Sinner and Opai; Alfred Williams scored on Charcoal and Opou ; while J. Peanell had a successful ride respectively on Libeller and Kapai. The other riders to obtain a place on the winning list were:— Morrigan (Anita), P. Johnston (Muscatel), J. Howard (Record Reign), J. Duff (Recruit), J. Higgiii6 (Kanaka), and E. George (Crusoe).

Mr. J. B. Williamson's castoff, Ditto, is haying quite a picnic in Sydney steeplechases this season, for I think he has won no less than four. 'At the Sydney Turf Club Meeting, held last month, The Dauphin's son carried list to victory in the cross-country event, and Mr. Williamson this week received intelligence by cable that the gelding had won again over the samo course on Saturday last, Ditto carried list 101b in his last race, and it would either appear that he is a very greatlyimproved horse, or that those opposed to him are a poor crowd.

If there was one man that had reason to be "down in the dumps" at the break in the weather which set in on Monday last, this was that hardworked officer, the Ellerslie caretaker, Mr. Hill. The enclosure, which looked so beautiful on the Saturday previous, with quite a velvety tread under foot, was, as a result of the rain that fell during the second day of the Grand National Meeting on Monday, badly churned up in many places, and the cutting up which the courso received will entail much labour to put it straight. The burly Charles, however, will, I doubt not, make easy work of his extensive task, for he is a " grafter" in the fullest sense, .

I Intelligence comes from New South Wales ' to the effect that the Hobartville stud is to be dispersed. The Friar's starting at the approaching Grand National Meeting at Canterbury is very much doubted. Yattenfeldt and Recruit were offered by auction yesterday by Messrs. Buckland and Sons, but neither changed hands. Charcoal became so sore after his victory in the Selling Steeplechase on Saturday last that ho could not be started on the following Monday. P. Johnston, who steered Muscatel to victory in the Great Northern Steeplechase on Monday last, had a like record with Jenny in 1890. Pilgrimage, the dam of Jeddah, and Isonomy and Jannette, the sire and dam respectively of Jeddah's sire, Janissary, were each foaled in the same year. The reason of Miss Nelson's absence from the list of contestants at the recent Grand National Meeting held at Ellerslie was due to one of her legs having filled. Intelligence was recently received in Sydney, by cable from Singapore, that Vanitas (by Martini-Henry) had been successful in an important race run there. Paul Pry, who won the Adelaide Cup recently, is to be schooled over hurdles, with a view to being a contestant in the V.R C. Grand National Hurdle Race next month. Mr. L. D. Nathan has conferred the name of Hastings on the yearling colt by Soaton Delaval from Liquidation, and that of Rosetta on the yearling filly by Seaton Delaval from Roie. R. Ramage, who has not achieved any distinction of note since Carbine went off the turf.-seven years ago, was recently again issued a trainer's license by tho Victoria Racine Club. b ■ Old Clo, the daughter of Trenton, shipped recently to England, presented a most rundown appearance when landed there, and some time is_ expected to elapse ore she can bo got into racing trim. The International Horse Agency has secured another Australian celebrity for transportation to the old country. This is Patron (by Grand Flaneur—Olga), who won the Melbourne Cup of 1894. Bradford (by St. Woodnymph), who proved himself a failure since he was two years old, recently left St. Albans, and is now being used as a lady's hack by one of jfr. W. R. Wilson's nieces. Georgio and Form, the pair sent to England by the Sydney sportsman, Mr. H. C. White, are reported to bo doing well in their training, and are each expected to distinguish themselves before very long. The New Zealand-bred Sir Modred, who for a good many seasons was in a good position amongst the leading sires in America, has fallen rack to the 22nd position in tho list. Sir Modred is now 21 years old. Waterfall; who won tho Caulfield Cup of 1895, was recently purchased in Sydney on behalf of tho Indian Government for, it is said, £150, and the son of Niagara is to be shipped to the East by an early steamer. The Victorian sportsman, Mr. W. T. Jones, who claimed the ownership of Airs and Graces, the winner of the English Oaks, is understood to have won about £4000 in bets by the success of the daughter of Ayrshire. The A.R.C. handicapper, Mr. J. O. Evett, claimed in the 23 starters which went to the post in the Welter Handicap at Ellerslie on Monday last the largest field of tho season, and I tender my congratulations thoreanent. James Hickey, who went to the old country under engagement to Mr. S. H. Gollan, and who has won a number of races thero in the colours of the Hawke's Bay sportsman, is coming out on a flying visit to New Zealand.

The rumpus ovor Arlino's weight in the Tradesmen's Handicap at the Dunedin Meeting has led to the resignation of Mr. Bremner, clerk of the scales, and it is believed that Mr. Fleming will resign his office as a steward of the club.

The Auckland-bred Cravat (by CastorNecklace) now occupies a box in tho samo stable as the V.R.C. Derby winnor Amberitc, and is receiving his preparation at tho hands of W. Duggan. There is some talk of Cravat being sent to India.

Mr. J. Beckett, who is one of the most popular of local motallicians, and who is now the owner of Levanter, contemplates a visit to Australia, with a view to seeing his gamo little horse compete there; and I am suro everyono will wish him luck.

At a salo of blood stock held yesterday at Mossrs, Hunter and Nolan's yards, He'll was bought for 16 guineas by Mr. T. Kempthorne, and Ballyhooley for 19J guineas by Mr. W. Hume. Tho ponies Tip and Amiable were sold for 11 and 12 guineas respectively. A meeting of the sub-committee of the Auckland Racing Club was held yesterday afternoon, when tho institution of the proposed Century Stakes was under consideration. No decision was come to, and the matter will come bofore the full committee at the ordinary monthly meeting to be held on Monday next.

Though most of the local pencilled were pinched in their double with Opai and Muscatel, when the betting opened on the Great Northern Steeplechase 3 to 1 was freely offered about Muscatel, and after everyono had been provided for the pencillers' price (2 to 1) was still better than that paid by the machine.

Mr. D. McKinnon has, I am told, a couple of really nice yearlings at his island homo in tho Waikato. One is a colt by Flintlock from Dreamland, and the other a filly by Flintlock from Taipoura. Everyone will, I am sure, join me in the wish that Mr. McKinnon' colours will again be seen carried at Ellerslie next season.

Gipsy Pnnco, who has not been seen out for several months, was offered by auction yesterday at Mossrs. Hunter and Nolan's yards, but tho bidding only reaching £25, ho was bought in. Mr. Skipwith has been hunting Gipsy I rince with the Pakuranga hounds this season, and the black gelding will most likely be further used in that department. I learn from Mr. Skipwith that he intends taking Tlio Sinner to Napier by the Westralia, leaving on Tuesday next, with a view to the Hawko's Bay Steeplechase. Should the son of Foulshot show sufficiently good form ! l , Mr. Skipwith's intention to take him on to the Wellington and Canterbury meetings. Mr. W. R. Wilson expresses a doubt concerning Aura (dam of Auraria and Aurum) being in foal this year. It is Mr. Wilson's intention to have Aura mated next season with Havoo (by Nordenfeldt-Frailty), who claims three-parts brothership to the illustrious Trenton, to whom the daughter of Richmond threw Auraria and Aurum.

_ Bloodstock prices still rulo extremely low in Australia. At a recent sale of horses bred by the Messrs. Pearson, at Kilmainy Park Victoria, out of 19 lots not a single one reached 50 guineas The highest-priced lot was a three-year-old gelding sired by the Auckland-bred Firelock, who brought 39 guineas. 6

An interesting fact in connection with the two Thousand Guineas and Derby this year is that the Australasian colonies claim half, brothers to tho respective winners, Castor claiming that relationship to Disraeli, winnor of the first-named race, while Pilgrim's Progress is on the same plane with Jeddah winner of the Derby.

~M r - y?\ R " Wilson has disposed of the stallion Eiridspord, which he imported from Enjr'and at tho same time as Castor. Eiridspord has been a rather pronounced failure, considering the great chances ho received' while stationed at St. Albans. Mr. Morrin certainly had tho best of tho deal when he took Castor in preference to Eiridspord. The hurdle-racer Ilex, who will be remembered as having last year'contested in the (.rand National Hurdle Race at Ellerslie, figures in the New Zealand Cup entries' Those connected with the son of Lo Loup evidently fancy him, as prior to the nomination closing an effort was made in Auckland to back him at 2000 to 20. This price, however was not forthcoming, and no business was recorded.

So far as the entry list is concerned, Auckland is represented in the big events of the V.R.C. Grand National Meeting, Levanter having been nominated for the Grand National Hurdle Race and Grand National Steeplechase; while his stable-mate Rex appears amongst the entrants for the LawTi Handicap. According to present plans, the norsos will be shipped to Sydney by the steamer leaving Auckland on next Monday week. Dunlop, who finished third for the English Derby, and who figured as the nomination of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, did not, it appears run in the Heir Apparent's colours in the blue riband. The colt was sold some time back to the American sportsman, Martin D. Rocker, for 5000 guineas, and a few weeks .before the running of the Derby he was submitted to auction, and purchased by Mr W Ward, a wealthy breeder, for 4200 guinea's. Euroclydon changed hands recently, the son of Gorton being purchased from Mr H. Goodman by Mr. J. Henderson, of Waitaki North, for 200 guineas. No mention is made as to whether the horse is to bo further persevered with for racing purposes; but if he never again carries silk he is still a great bargain at the price named above, and such a fine commanding horse should be made to pay his way at the stud.